1 January 2020 Members of the East Anglian Jewish population packed the Old Meeting House in Norwich to see Rabbi Cantor Gershon Silins inducted as the new rabbi of the Norwich Liberal Jewish Community (NLJC). Gershon – who was ordained as rabbi in July after graduating from Leo Baeck College … Read More
Statement on antisemitic incidents over Chanukah
29 December 2019 Liberal Judaism is shocked and saddened to hear about the recent antisemitic incidents in both London and New York. Chanukah and the festive period is a time for people to come together – no matter your religion or beliefs – and it is heartbreaking to see the … Read More
Sold out Manchester klezmer night gets everyone dancing
29 December 2019 Manchester Liberal Jewish Community (MLJC) hosted a sold-out Evening of Klezmer to mark World AIDS Day. The concert saw Klezmorim of Manchester – the group which comprises current and former students of Manchester University’s music department – play Vessels of Song: Journeys Through the Worlds of Klezmer … Read More
Faiths unite for Liberal Jewish Synagogue lighting
27 December 2019 The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS) held a multi-faith Chanukah lighting as part of the community’s ‘Festivals For All’ programme. Individuals and groups representing different local faith communities, schools, charities and organisations attended – all lighting one of eight candles. The keynote speaker was Imam Asif Hafiz OBE, … Read More
Northwood rabbi wins top international award
23 December 2019 Rabbi Lea Mühlstein, of Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, was honoured at the first ever Women of Reform Judaism (WJR) Women’s Empowerment Awards Dinner. The event took place during the Biennial of the Union for Reform Judaism – Liberal Judaism’s American sister movement – and recognised the … Read More
Comment: We must be allies in fight against Islamophobia
By Rabbi Charley Baginsky The Board of Deputies and many other communal organisations have already condemned the truly appalling article that appeared in the Jewish Chronicle this week by Melanie Phillips. Liberal Judaism adds its voice clearly and strongly to the disgust felt in the Jewish community at this attack … Read More
Liberal Judaism statement on the General Election
13 December 2019 As Jews we feel a deep responsibility to engage in elections. Many of us see voting as a primary obligation. This election has felt personal in ways that we can never have imagined. We have witnessed the ways in which it has torn people apart and brought … Read More
Reading celebrate rabbi’s PhD with Pink Shabbat
9 December 2019 Reading Liberal Jewish Community (RLJC) held a surprise Pink Shabbat to celebrate the award of a PhD to Rabbi, now Dr, Miri Lawrence. The synagogue was specially decorated and many congregants wore pink, which is Miri’s favourite colour. Cheder children created cards and banners and everyone enjoyed … Read More
El Al crew enjoy Friday night dinner in Northwood
9 December 2019 Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS) welcomed four El Al crew members for a Friday night dinner with a twist. In a role reversal, Adar, Anat, Maya and Estie were served the food and drink during their one-night layover in London. Socialising with more than 60 NPLS … Read More
Interfaith hopes and challenges discussed in Kingston
8 December 2019 Award winning speakers Imam Mamadou Bocoum and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg discussed Jewish/Muslim relations at an Interfaith event co-hosted by Kingston Liberal Synagogue (KLS) and Muslims Against Antisemitism (MAAS). The pair – who won the 2017 ‘No2H8 Crime’ awards for intercultural dialogue for their work speaking to audiences … Read More